any cleaner burning powder suggestions? (.44 mag)

[m1a1driver]

I'm currently shooting .44 mag LSWC's over 10.5grs of unique and it is unbelievably dirty, I can maybe get off a box and a half before the cylinder is covered in soot. Anyone have any recommendations for a cleaner burning powder? I'm also getting a lot of leading in my barrel so I'll probably switch to plated bullets too.

[Fjold]

Low pressure loads are always going to be dirty.

If you want to shoot lighter loads in your 44 Mag, then load up full power 44 special loads in the shorter cases using Tightgroup, IMR 700X, etc.

[buffybuster]

+1 Not enough pressure. Are you trying to make 44Mag or 44Spl loads?

[f4tweet]

AA-9

http://www.accuratepowder.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/12/accurate_load_data_3.4.pdf

[Cowboy T]

Two things that might help:

1.) Are you using "hard cast" bullets? If so, consider much softer ones, say, around BHN 10-12 or so. If your bullets are too hard compared to your load's pressure, you won't get proper obturation (and thus a good seal). The result of that will be gas cutting, resulting in...LEADING. I had that exact problem until I started casting my own from much softer alloy and using a better lube. Leading problems went bye-bye.

2.) I know a professional reloader who reloads .45 Long Colt with a 200gr cast bullet and 8.2gr Unique. Note that .45 Long Colt cases are exactly the same length as .44 Mag cases (indeed, case volume is bigger due to .45LC's larger diameter). This guy's loads are actually pretty clean, and that's at standard .45 Colt pressures. While I personally prefer Titegroup, Unique is not a bad powder at all and is exceedingly popular for a good reason, so something else has to be going on here.

[Ross]

Win 296?

[Cowboy T]

W296 (aka H-110) = good only for max loads.

M1A1Driver: are you looking for full-house loads or something a bit more tamed down?

[Cheep]

Your lube may be causing some of that crud, the leading I'll leave to the others.

[Jonathan Doe]

I use Win 296 and never had a problem with it.

[kurac]

I switched over to W231 because Unique was too dirty, the W231 also ended up being more accurate as well.

[m1a1driver]

with the cast loads they were "silver state" brand 240gr LSWC's. I'm getting a lot of leading in my barrel. Was thinking of switching over to the laser-cast bullets I use in my .45LC's, as they leave no leading, but cost $15 more per 500.

[Mikeb]

I like 2400 for .44mag. Still allows for a bit of tuning unlike 296. But they are magnum rounds.
take care
Mike

[beerman]

I like 2400 for .44mag. Still allows for a bit of tuning unlike 296. But they are magnum rounds.
take care
Mike

I'm with Mike..i like about 18-19 gr of 2400.Good accurate load for me with a 240 grain lead bullet

[Cowboy T]

with the cast loads they were "silver state" brand 240gr LSWC's. I'm getting a lot of leading in my barrel. Was thinking of switching over to the laser-cast bullets I use in my .45LC's, as they leave no leading, but cost $15 more per 500.

Are you looking to make Magnum rounds or are you looking for something a bit less than that?

[z-bob]

Try WSF. (you won't be able to find load data for it, but you can use Herco data if you do a normal load workup and don't start right at the top)

If you want something lighter, like a .44 Special on steroids, try Red Dot powder and load it towards its upper end.